What is the difference between saying, "I believe there is a tree in my front yard" and "I believe God exists"?
Doesn't it seem there is something quite different about these two statements?
Doesn't it seem there is something quite different about these two statements?
Happy Camper
Favorite Answer
The concept of belief internal to your mind is the same in both cases. Both statements imply that there is doubt as to the truth of the object of the sentence.
One object is tangible; the other is not.
The most common difficulties arise when the the verb "to believe" is used in debate interchangeably with the verb "to believe in". They are not the same.
For example:
"I believe you".
"I believe in you".
If most conversations would pay strict attention to this simple fact of language, there would be a lot less confusion and anger in the Philosophical, Religious and Political arenas of the world.
Anonymous
You can see and feel the tree but you cannot even see God =/ there's proof all over the world that trees exist but there is no evidence that god has ever existed.
Brigalow Bloke
The existence of the tree is easy to establish.
Anonymous
Even if you cut down the tree and burn it in the fireplace it's still a much better statement, even if wrong, than the belief in a super being.
Arantheal
The existence of a tree can be verified, independently corroborated and potentially falsified. The existence of a god cannot.